Car not starting. NICO, help me out.

[ADDirishboy]

Alright, so my car has been having some electrical issues for a few months now. The alarm was shorting, and locking my entire car up. So I took it to Audio Express and had it removed and hadn't had any problems until just a few days ago.

Went out to my car one morning, got in, turned the key, and all I got was a *click*. Great. Luckily, my neighbor had a brand new battery. We hook it up, and the car starts right up. This is strange, as the battery I had was just over a year old and I haven't left any accessories running with the car off.

So I take the old battery to Checker, they charge it, and we try again. Nothing. So the guy at Checker warranties me a brand new battery, we hook it up, and everything starts up fine. Drive home, park it, and leave it for the night.

I come out the next morning, turn the key, and what do I get? *click*. Wonderful. So, I'm thinking alternator now. Take the alternator to Checker and they run a check and it passes with flying colors. Now I'm at a complete loss. I call my uncle, and he thinks there is a draw somewhere in my electrical system. Not sure where it could be drawing from though. Radio isn't the issue, since that was stolen by Messican's while I lived in Tucson.

There's really no other electrical issues I could think of other than the alarm the Audio Express took out. I'm thinking they missed something and it's drawing power. But it also doesn't make sense that it would wait 2 months before it starts randomly drawing power from my battery.

So NICO, anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Razi]

Are your terminals clean and nice and snug? Our Pathfinder does this sometimes because one of the terminals on the battery is just a tad too small.
In case there's a drain, after you park your car, leave the battery unhooked until you want to start it again tomorrow.

[Encryptshun]

Obviously the Messicans who stole your radio have come back to steal your electrics.

[ADDirishboy]

Obviously the Messicans who stole your radio have come back to steal your electrics.

Those bastards!

Are your terminals clean and nice and snug? Our Pathfinder does this sometimes because one of the terminals on the battery is just a tad too small.
In case there's a drain, after you park your car, leave the battery unhooked until you want to start it again tomorrow.

Just cleaned the terminals 4 days ago, before I put on the brand new battery. All is nice and clean and fits tight. I bought a wingnut for the positive terminal so I can disconnect it with my hand whenever I park. Will see if that works.

[Encryptshun]

Check your rear window defogger wiring to make sure it's not shorted in the "on" position.

[sbird1]

If you have power seats, make sure the controls aren't stuck. I've seen that before.

[ADDirishboy]

Check your rear window defogger wiring to make sure it's not shorted in the "on" position.

That could be it. I'll look into it.

If you have power seats, make sure the controls aren't stuck. I've seen that before.

No power seats. No power windows either.

[PEZi]

a wizard has clearly pulled shenanigans on you.... he resides in your trunk right now stroking his beard with one hand and his nuts with the other making sure your car won't start

[PapaSmurf2k3]

my 240 does this from time to time as well. There IS an Ipod hooked to it at all times, but I would think it would take a pretty damn long time to drain the battery. Its also pretty low on my priority list.

I vote you hook up 2 batteries with the car off, that way you'll cook whatever is shorting out/drawing energy at the time.

[USMCgetsome]

look at your door light open/closed switch. Common part that fails over time and kills your battery.

[IanS]

How sure are you that you have a draw?

Mitsubishis are notorious for rotting out the insides of the battery cables. Have you ever had issues with corrosion on the terminals?

I have seen lots of cars do this. The corrosion seeps into the cable itself, and breaks the copper down, leaving only the casing to hold things together.

To check for a draw, remove the positive battery cable, and hook a multimeter up in series. Set it to read amperage. IIRC a typical car should draw no more than 6 mA with the doors shut and the key out of the ignition. Check a service manual for exact draw specifications.

The most common cause of an electrical draw, is a failed control module that refuses to sleep, or a faulty alternator. The auto parts stores alternator checker will not catch a draw issue it just looks for voltage output and ripple.

[ADDirishboy]

How sure are you that you have a draw?

Mitsubishis are notorious for rotting out the insides of the battery cables. Have you ever had issues with corrosion on the terminals?

I have seen lots of cars do this. The corrosion seeps into the cable itself, and breaks the copper down, leaving only the casing to hold things together.

To check for a draw, remove the positive battery cable, and hook a multimeter up in series. Set it to read amperage. IIRC a typical car should draw no more than 6 mA with the doors shut and the key out of the ignition. Check a service manual for exact draw specifications.

The most common cause of an electrical draw, is a failed control module that refuses to sleep, or a faulty alternator. The auto parts stores alternator checker will not catch a draw issue it just looks for voltage output and ripple.

Well, I'm not positive it's a draw, especially now. Didn't do anything to the car, not a thing. Was just about to go searching for the problem, but figured I'd try to turn it on first. Started right up. I think my car was on its period.

[Razi]

Freakin electrical wizardry!

[ADDirishboy]

Seriously. Electrical issues baffle me.

[Frank E Bones]

Seriously. Electrical issues baffle me.

Did you get my PM? You should definitely get the starter checked out, and not at those Autozone/Checker places. They're seriously stupid. I went through almost the exact same thing.

[ADDirishboy]

Seriously. Electrical issues baffle me.

Did you get my PM? You should definitely get the starter checked out, and not at those Autozone/Checker places. They're seriously stupid. I went through almost the exact same thing.

Yea, had that checked out too. All is good.

[Solar_Runner]

Electrical Gremlins - True Story:

Way back in the day I drove a 1976 Mercury Capri - Imported from Germany. It had that narrow 2.8 ltr V6 and a four speed. It was a fun car that had its moments with me. Expensive on parts too. I had issues with my starter that forced my (very good) friends to always push start this car. After several weeks of that, they stopped and I found a starter for it and kept motoring on for a while.

One night - after fun at nickel beer (7-9) and quarter Coors (9-11) I arrived home and parked my car at the end of the driveway. Head full of cheer I started towards the back door when I heard a strange sound coming from my car. I stopped and looked at it - did it just move? Head buzzing I turn back to the door and again the noise. The front tires are now in the grass. Seriously, WTMFH is going on? I look into my right hand and I DO have the keys. It starts again as I watch, the starter is engaging and my car (Christine the second) is now moving further into my backyard and towards several palm trees.

I run over to it, unlock my occasionally moving/lurching car, jump in, put my key in and turn to the RUN position, it fires up and stays at idle. I back up the 10 feet that it has moved and switch it off again. I set the parking brake and take it out of gear and wait for about 15 minutes, nothing. I go in and hit the sack. It never did that again, but it sure was un-nerving to see your car moving by itself across the back yard.

Not meaning to jack your thread, just wanted to share a funny story. Good luck amigo.